Spinal column aligning table



Dec. 1, 1953 Filed May 16, 1951 K. N. THORNTON SPINAL COLUMN ALIGNING TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 king N. Thornton IN V EN TOR.

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SPINAL COLUMN ALIGNING TABLE Filed May 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet.3

King N. Thornton INVEN TOR.

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King IV- Thornton IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE,

SPINAL COLUMN ALIGNING TABLE King N. Th rn n, West Palm B ach, Fla- Applieation May '16, 1951, Serial No. 226,630

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a therapeutic machine for periodically tensioning the spinal column of a patient while kneading the spinal column to readjust the vertebrae.

The primary object of this invention is to periodically tension the spinal column of a patient so as to relax the muscles in the vicinity of the same, whereby the vertebrae may be readily aligned and adjusted and to knead the spinal column and vicinity during such periodic tensioning to efiect the desired alignment and adjustment of the vertebrae.

Another important object of the present invem tlon is to knead the muscles and tissues adjoining the spinal cartilages and ligaments to stimulate a healthful condition of the intervertebral disks.

tion to be, specifically enumerated herein resides The kneading may be used independently of the tensioning.

Another important object of the present in vention is to provide means for kneading the spinal column that straddles the spinous processes and which do not strike the angles of the ribs.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide means for kneading the spinal column that is adjustable in the pressure brought to bear thereby against the spinal region at any time during the operation of the machine.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a machine of this char actor in which the periodic tensioning of the spinal column of the patient is so timed in relation to the kneading operation that maximum.

effectiveness is obtained in'both the upward and the downward kneading movements of the ma-- chine- A meritorious feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means affording simultaneous and synchronous or asynchronous action of the tensioning and kneading means.

Another important feature of the present in vention resides in the means provided for securingthe spinal column tensioning means to the patient. I

Still another important feature of the present invention resides in the spacing of the rollers of the kneading means, whereby the rollers straddle spinous processes of the spinal column, but are placed sufficiently close enough together to avoid striking the angles of the ribs.

' Yet another important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for 618! j vating the kneading means that may be operated at anytime during the operation of the machine. A final important feature of the present invenin the means employed for reciprocating the kneading means, particularly the use of the pantograph linkage and the auxiliary carriage, whereby alarge stroke amplitude is attained for the kneading means without necessitating the use of a large and cumbersome crank in the actuating assembly.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire machine showing the same in use;

Figure am a side elevational view of the pres-- ent invention, showing the same with the near side wall removed and portions of the machine being broken away to show the internal construction of the same;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 33 of Figure .1; t Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken. upon the plane of section line 4--4 of Figure 2;

' Fi ure 5 is .a vertical transverse sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 5'15 of Figure 2; and

Figure 61s a perspective detail taken on an en larged scale of the main carriage and the kneadins means, portions of this view being broken away to show the internal construction of the some Reierense is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the various views, and in which the machine con, stituting the subject matter of the present inven-, tion is designateda-t In.

The machine In is generally box-shaped and includes a suitable frame consisting of corner posts I2 that are connected by upper and lower a The frame has secured thereto end walls 28 and -30 and side walls 32 and 34, it being noted that a the side wall 34 is provided with access openings 3 closed by hinged doors 36 whereby the interior of the machine may be reached. The table or top 26 of the machine I8 is readily removable to permit free access to all the working parts to be subsequently described.

The table 26 is provided with a longitudinal slot or opening 38, the purpose of which will be presently described, and a deformable pad or mattress 48 is disposed on the table 26 and overlies the slot 38.

As shown in Figure l, the table 26 and the pad 40 are of sufiicient size that a patient designated generally at 42 may lie in a supine position thereon. Means is provided whereby the spinal column of the patient 42 will be periodically tensioned. Such means comprises a standard secured to the frame and extending upwardly above the pad 48 at one end thereof. Such standard is designated at 44 and carries adjacent its upper end a loop 48 that is engaged by a flexible harness construction 48 adapted to engage the patient 42 under his chin and below the back portion of his head, as clearly shown in Figure l. The purpose of the standard 44 and the harness construction 48 is, of course, to prevent movement of the patient 42 away from the head end of the machine I0.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lever 50 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 52, to the frame at the front end of the latter. A body harness designated generally 54 is provided for detachably engaging the patient 42, such harness 54 including a releasable waistband 56 for embracing the patient 42 above his hips, the band 56 having forward and rear pairs of converging straps 58 and 68 respectively secured thereto which terminate in securing rings 62 and 64. A flexible securing element 66 has one end secured to the ring 64 and is engaged through a loop 68 carried at the top of the lever 50 and the ring 62 and is secured in adjusted tensioned relation by means of a friction clamp 10 having spaced apertures therethrough through which the elements 66 extend. Obviously, the purpose of the harness 54 and the element 66 is to cause movement of the patients hips towards the foot of the machine when the upper end of the lever moves away from the machine. As thus far described, it will be evident that upon oscillation of the lever 58, it being assumed that the element 66 has been properly tensioned, the spinal column of the patient 42 will be sequentially tensioned or stretched and relaxed from tension.

In order to oscillate the lever 50, a prime mover such as the electric motor II is provided that is mounted upon frame members I2 that are suitably supported by the posts I2 and 22. The input shaft I3 of a speed reducer I4 is also mounted on the frame members I2 and is driven by'means of a drive belt I5 entrained over pulleys I6 and I1 fixed on the armature shaft of the motor II and the shaft I3 respectively. A transverse shaft 18 is journaled in bearings 19 carried by upright support members 86 mounted on the frame members I2 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The output shaft 8| of the speed reducer and the shaft 18 are provided with toothed sprockets 82 and 84 respectively, and an endless drive chain 86 is en'-. trained over the sprockets 82 and 84, whereby ro-.- tation of the output shaft 8I is imparted to the shaft 18. The shaft I8 has a crank arm 88 at one end, and a pitman 90 is provided which extends through a suitable opening 92 in the end wall 30, and has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the crank 88 and the lower end Of the leve 5 '4. at 94 and 96 respectively, so that actuation of the prime mover II will cause oscillatory movement of the lever 50 as will be readily understood.

Means is provided for massaging or kneading the spinal region of the patient 42. As best shown in Figures 3 and 6, a pair of spaced angle guides are suitably mounted below the table 26 in parallel relation with the slot 38. A channel shaped carriage I88 is provided which is disposed between the angles 98, which carriage I68 has journaled thereon rollers I62 which ride on the guides 98. As best shown in Figure 6, the carriage I0!) is provided with an end wall I84, which at I06 has an arm I88 pivoted thereto that is inclined upwardly above the carriage I66. The upper end of the arm I68 is enlarged as at H8 and is provided With a transverse bore, not shown. A pair of massaging rollers H2 are disposed on the opposite sides of the enlarged portion I I6 and are rotatably supported by means of a pivot bolt II4 that extends to the rollers H2 and the enlarged portion III).

The arm I88 and consequently the rollers II2 are adjustably supported by means of a pair of parallel links II6 pivoted to the arm IE8 at their upper ends in a position adjacent the enlarged portion III] as at H8. A pair of supporting rollers I20 are journaled between the lower ends of the links H6, and a travelling nut I22 is carried between the lower ends of the links I I6 by means of a pair of pivot pins I24 that are carried by the links H6 that project towards each other through the rollers I29 to be received in pivot apertures, not shown, at the opposite ends of the travelling nut I22. The travelling nut I22 is threaded upon a threaded shaft I26 that adjacent one end is rotatably secured to and projects through the end wall I64. The end of the shaft I26 projecting through the end wall I84 has nonrotatably secured thereon a gear I28 by means of which the shaft I26 may be rotated, it being noted that the height at which the rollers I I 2 will be supported may be adjusted by means of such rotation.

As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, a longitudinally extending squared shaft I36 is rotatably supported below the travel path of the carriage I00, upon which shaft I38 is slida'bly disposed a gear I32 for rotation therewith, such gear I32 being disposed in meshing engagement with the gear I28, so that rotation of the shaft I36 will be imparted to the shaft I26. A pair of bearing brackets I34 are carried by the carriage I66 which rotatably support collars I36 that have squared apertures, not shown, therethrough which the shaft I30 slidably extends. At one end of the shaft -I 36 a bevel gear I38 is fixedly secured thereto, the end of the shaft'I3Il adjacent such ear I38 being supported in a bearing I49 carried by a suitable support such as the frame member 24. The opposite end of the shaft is journaled in a thrust bearing I4I, carried by the guide angles 88 to prevent endwise movement. Obviously, either of the bearings I49 or I4I may be attached to the guide-angles 88 or the frame of the machine. A shaft I 42 is journaled through the side wall 32 and has a hand wheel I44 provided on one end and. a bevel gear I46 provided on its other end that is in meshing engagement with the gear I38, additional support being given the shaft I42 by a bearing bracket I 48 carried by the frame member 24;,- ltwill thus be seen that by means of the hand wheel I44 an operator may rotate the shaft I30- irrespective of the position of the carriage N18,; so that the position of the rollers II2 may 7 mounted for longitudinal reciprocation relative to the table, means for reciprocating said carriage, kneading means carried by the carriage adapted to operate through the slot upon the spinal column of a patient, said kneading means including an arm pivoted at its lower end to thecarriage for vertical swinging movement, an elevating link having its upper end pivoted to the arm for vertical swinging movement and having its lower end movably supported on the carriage, 1

a shaft rotatably mounted on the carriage and secured against longitudinal movement relative to the carriage, a travelling nut carried by the elevating link, said shaft having a threaded portion on which is received the travelling nut, and, means for rotating the shaft.

4. A therapeutic machine comprising a table for receiving a patient and having a longitudinal slot therethrough, a carriage disposed below and mounted for longitudinal reciprocation relative to the table, means for reciprocating said car riage, kneading means carried by the carriage adapted to operate through the slot upon the spinal column of a patient, said kneading means including an arm pivoted at its lower end to the carriage for vertical swinging movement and carrying a, pair of widely spaced rollers at its upper end, an elevating link having its upper end pivoted to the arm for vertical swinging movement and having its lower end movably supported on the carriage, a shaft rotatably mounted on the carriage and secured against longitudinal movement relative to the carriage, a travelling nut carried by the elevating link, said shaft having a threaded portion on which is received the travelling nut, and means for rotating the shaft. 5. A therapeutic machine comprising a table for receiving a patient and having a longitudinal slot therethrough, a carriage disposed below and mounted for longitudinal reciprocation relative to the table, means for reciprocating said carriage, kneading means carried by the carriage adapted to operate through the slot upon the spinal column of a patient, said kneading means including an arm pivoted at its lower end to the carriage for vertical swinging movement, an elevating link having its upper end pivoted to the arm for vertical swinging movement and having 8 its lower end movably supported on the carriage, a shaft rotatably mounted on the carriage and secured against longitudinal movement relative to the carriage, a travelling nut carried by the elevating link, said shaft having a threaded portion on which is received the travelling nut, and means for rotating the shaft comprising a further shaft rotatably mounted below the table having a gear longitudinally slidable thereon and mounted to rotate therewith, a gear mounted in the first mentioned shaft, and means for retaining said gears in meshed relation, whereby the kneading means may be selectively raised and lowered by turning the further shaft irrespective of the position of the carriage and during movement of the latter.

6. A therapeutic machine comprising a table for receiving a patient and having a longitudinal slot therethrough, a deformable layer of mate- :rial overlying the table and the slot, a carriage disposed below and mounted for longitudinal reciprocation relative to the table, means for reciprocating said carriage, kneading means carried by the carriage adapted to operate through the slot upon the spinal column of a patient, said kneading means including an arm pivoted at its lower end to the carriage for vertical swinging movement, an elevating link having its upper end pivoted to the arm for vertical swinging movement and having its lower end movably supported on the carriage, a shaft rotatably mounted on the carriage and secured against longitudinal movement relative to the carriage, a travelling nut carried by the elevating link, said shaft having a threaded portion on which is received the travelling nut, and crank means carried by said table for rotating the shaft, irrespective of the position of the carriage and during movement of the latter.

KING N. THORNTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,735,569 Gregory Nov. 12, 1929 2,193,882 Petersen Mar. 19, 1940 2,534,587 Fisher et a1. Dec. 19, 1950 

